In episode #178 of The Shawn Ryan Show, Ben Owen pulls back the curtain on addiction, trauma, recovery, and redemption in one of the rawest interviews of the year. Titled "Inside the Life of an Addict," the episode captures a journey from crack houses and federal charges to safe houses and second chances.
Watch the full episode here:
🎥 Ben Owen – Inside the Life of an Addict | SRS #178
Ben doesn’t just talk about addiction — he lived it. A former Army Infantryman, he battled years of drug abuse, homelessness, and violence on the streets of South Memphis. On the show, he shares how his descent began, what rock bottom really looked like, and how a prayer in the middle of hell became a turning point.
“I had two options: I was going to get sober or I was going to die.”
Ben and his wife Jess made a promise: if they could escape their addiction, they would come back and rescue everyone they left behind. Today, they’ve made good on that vow through their nonprofit We Fight Monsters and Owen Army—organizations that purchase and rehabilitate the same homes where they once used drugs.
In the episode, Ben dives deep into:
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The psychology of addiction and what keeps people stuck
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Why trap houses are “the single source of every bit of pain” in a neighborhood
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His past as a user, enabler, and now—rescuer
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The spiritual, emotional, and physical journey of recovery
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What it means to fight monsters in today’s America
The episode is gripping, emotional, and at times uncomfortable—but that’s what makes it so important. It’s not about sensationalism. It’s about truth. And Ben lays his life bare so others might find hope.
“We’re not just saving lives. We’re shutting down the drivers of chaos—one house at a time.”
As the founder of Flanders Fields, Ben also discusses the growing work of veteran-led community restoration, his partnerships with former addicts, veterans, and law enforcement, and how purpose is the only true antidote to pain.
“You can’t make someone get clean. You can only keep your hand extended.”
This episode is more than a conversation. It’s a mission briefing.
Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or want to understand how neighborhoods can be rebuilt from the inside out, this interview is required viewing.
🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode:
👉 Ben Owen – Inside the Life of an Addict | Shawn Ryan Show #178